Teacher's Guide to Ratite Feathers Prompt

It’s Wildlife Writing Wednesday, and we’ve compiled some additional information for you as the instructor in case:

you want to offer any introductory discussion for your students before releasing the prompt to them

it is helpful for you in your evaluation/understanding

this understanding helps you to alter the prompt for grade level

PROMPT:

How are the plume feathers Ratites have different from feathers of birds of flight? How do you think this physical feature affects the bird's ability to run, and why might running be important for these animals in the wild?

The feathers in the picture at the top of this page belong to a Rhea.

A Rhea is one of five Ratite bird species. A Ratite is a large, flightless bird. Ratites have a different type of breastbone, which prevents them from flying. However, Ratites are very fast runners. The Ratites all originate from different continents.

EDUCATION

We love animals, but for the safety of your animal and ours, OUTSIDE ANIMALS INCLUDING PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS ARE NOT ALLOWED. "At a zoo, service animals can be restricted from areas where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, where the presence of a dog would be disruptive, causing the displayed animals to behave aggressively or become agitated." For full explanation from United States Department of Justice, visit www.ada.gov. Click here for answers to more frequently-asked questions.